My Cow Neighbors
When we moved into our rural home 8 years ago, there was a 5 acre lot
just to the west of us. Our house was only about 100 yards from
the fence line. About 4 years ago, a young couple built a house on the
5 acres. Recently they brought 12 cows to their property.
Most mornings I greet them from my front porch, because one of their
favorite hangouts is under the trees by our fence. They are literally
my next door neighbors and my friends. These cows are so precious and
so full of personality. They seem to enjoy my singing and
conversing with them about the day. When I am with them I banish
thoughts of their fate from my mind, because I just want to share joy
with them.
From Joy to Tears
However, as they get older, it is getting harder. From my back porch, I
saw the neighbor building a corral and chute for loading the cows the
other day. I was overcome with a flood of emotions and tears—the desire
to stop my friends from being killed, the anger at my neighbor’s
ignorance, my grief that then pours into the river of tears being shed
by all of us for all animals being killed every second of every day.
Mindful Grieving
What I want to say to you is that by taking on the liberation of
animals we are entering into a profoundly beautiful relationship with
animals, but we are also accepting ongoing grief as a part of our
lives. We cannot let ourselves be overcome by it, because the
animals need us to keep going, but we can give ourselves permission to
cry once in a while and share our grief with others who understand.
It’s so important.
Vegan Spirituality Retreat June 22
With all this in mind, I wanted to be sure you knew about the Vegan
Spirituality Retreat in Malibu June 22
(www.veganspirituality.com). Activists need support, renewal, and
tools to help us stay the course and not burn out. I will be one of the
speakers this year and would love to see you there.
Prayers for All Activists
As airline attendants tell us on every flight, we must put the oxygen
mask on ourselves first so that we can help others who aren’t able to
do so. This week let us send out prayers and caring thoughts to
all activists. May all of you feel the comfort and guidance of
the Light of the World that dwells in us and in everything. May
all of you feel the Love that surrounds us all, shows us the way to
free the animals and gently reminds us to take care of ourselves so
that we can care for them.
With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy, and Will, Madeleine, and the Circle of Compassion team.
If you haven’t already done so, please join us at the Prayer Circle for Animals facebook page.
(Your donations allow us to continue and expand this prayer ministry)